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It’s an annual tradition: On the first day of school, parents take photos of their kids at the Juniper Road/Caccamo Lane bus stop.
Here’s this year’s edition. Parents: Save for posterity. Kids: Don’t be embarrassed — decades from now, you’ll appreciate this.
PS: The little one on the far left? He’ll be graduating before you know it.

(Photo/Pam Long)
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Another tradition: Staples High School senior girls design t-shirts, decorate their cars, then drive in a motorcade to school.
Here are just a few of the 200-plus seniors girls from the Class of 2022:

(Photo/Lisa Rowan)
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In the mid-2010s, Staples had one of the top robotics teams in the world.
Now a new generation of students is gunning for the top again.
Ben Saxon — a junior who is a black belt in karate, and a competitor on both the squash and math teams — has added robotics to his resume.
He’s got a 3D printer, and has built robots at home. He and 8 or so passionate friends are recruiting others to join them, with a competitive club.
They’ve begun fundraising, to purchase components including hardware and software. Their goal is $3,500.
Click here to help. Click below for an intriguing video, and to meet team members.
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Speaking of Staples:
For his 40th reunion last weekend, 1981 graduate Dan Gallant created a race-quality cycling jersey. The front includes an image of the school; the back, the Staples seal.
Classmates loved it. One suggested it might be popular beyond just those alums.
Great idea! Even better: Dan is donating all proceeds to Staples Tuition Grants.
Click here to order. Show your pride — and support STG. NOTE: Today is the ordering deadline!

Front, rear and side views.
How hard is it to make a pizza? (The real — not microwave — kind.)
You can find out on Sunday, September 26 (10 a.m. to noon).
Wakeman Town Farm fires up its outdoor wood-burning pizza oven for a fun class.
Chef Annalyce Loretto and pizzaiolo Carl McNair will teach how to make traditional pizza — ending, of course, with samplings. Ages 12+ are welcome.
All ingredients and materials are provided. Click here to register.
Also ahead at WTF:
- Build-a-grazing board (food & wine experience): September 30, 7 p.m.
- Al fresco fall farm dinner with chef Genee Habansky of Herbaceous Catering, with locally sourced ingredients: October 2, 6 p.m.
- Oktoberfest dinner with AMG Catering’s Alison Milwe Grace: October 14, 5:30 p.m.
Click here for details.

Celebrating Wakeman Town Farm’s pizza oven.
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If you can’t find a MoCA Westport fall course that piques your interest, you haven’t looked hard enough.
The Newtown Turnpike museum offers classes in categories like Exploring Art Together for Babies and Toddlers, Academic & Art Enrichment, Digital Animation and Cinematography, Drawing, Fashion and Floral Design.
Click here for the catalogue. Then expand your horizons!
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A reminder: The Westport Country Playhouse’s “Stars on Stage” shows will be taped tonight (August 31), and tomorrow and Thursday (September 1 and 2) — and will be edited, then broadcast to a national television audience.
There are 2 shows each night, at 7 and 9 p.m. A few tickets remain ($75 and $20). Complimentary tickets go to first responders, students, teachers, and groups and organizations.
For tickets or more information, click here, call 203-227-4177, or email boxoffice@westportplayhouse.org.

(From left): Shoshana Bean, Gavin Creel: Westport Country Playhouse stars.
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(Photo/JC Martin)
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And finally … what better song for August 31?